Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member provided on a gaming board, wherein the gaming ball detection device comprises: first detection means for detecting a change in amount of light emitted from a light emitting element and received by a light receiving element to thereby detect passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region; and second detection means for detecting a change in galvanomagnetic effect caused by an element placed in a static magnetic field generated by magnetic field generation means to thereby detect passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-189740 filed on Jun. 29, 2005.

The contents of that application are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member.

2. Discussion of the Background

As such a kind of conventional gaming machines, mentioned is a pachinko gaming machine disclosed in JP-A 2003-310871. The gaming board face of this pachinko gaming machine is provided with a starting winning opening, a regular winning opening and a special winning opening, which a gaming ball can enter. When the gaming ball enters these winning openings, gaming balls are disbursed from a ball tank to an upper tray through a ball channel, allowing a player to obtain a predetermined profit. The ball channel is provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting passage of the gaming ball. The magnetic detection sensor comprises a detection coil. By electrical conduction of this coil, a magnetic field is formed in a hole through which the gaming ball passes, to generate a magnetic flux in the hole. When a metallic gaming ball passes through this hole, the magnetic flux through the hole changes, whereby to detect passage of the gaming ball through the ball channel.

However, in the conventional pachinko gaming machine as disclosed in JP-A 2003-310871, the magnetic detection sensor is susceptible to an electromagnetic wave that brings about a change in magnetic field in a space around the gaming ball passing hole since the detection coil detects passage of the gaming ball by detecting a change in magnetic flux itself that occurs in the space around the gaming ball passing hole by electromagnetic induction. Therefore, there have hitherto been damages due to an illegal action (so-called “radiowave goto”) in which gaming balls are illegally obtained by transmitting an electromagnetic wave intentionally with a radiowave transmitter to the space around the gaming ball passing hole to make the magnetic detection sensor perform a false detection.

The contents of Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2003-310871 are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problem described above. And the present invention is a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member provided on a gaming board, wherein the gaming ball detection device comprises: first detection means for detecting a change in amount of light emitted from a light emitting element and received by a light receiving element to thereby detect passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region; and second detection means for detecting a change in galvanomagnetic effect caused by an element placed in a static magnetic field generated by magnetic field generation means to thereby detect passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region.

According to this configuration, when the gaming ball passes through the predetermined region of the gaming member, the first detection means detects passage of the gaming ball by a change in amount of light received by the light receiving element, and the second detection means detects passage of the gaming ball by a change in galvanomagnetic effect caused by the element placed in the static magnetic field. Therefore, even when an electromagnetic wave is transmitted with a radiowave transmitter or the like to the predetermined region of the gaming member, the first detection means is not affected by the electromagnetic wave since, in the first detection means, passage of the gaming ball is detected by the change in amount of light received. Further, even when a slight change in magnetic field occurs due to the electromagnetic wave in the static magnetic field around the element, the second detection means is not affected either by the change in magnetic field since the change hardly has an influence on the galvanomagnetic effect caused by the element, in contrast to conventional detection devices such as a coil sensor for detecting a change in magnetic field itself by electromagnetic induction. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the false detection due to the electromagnetic wave generated by the radiowave goto to certainly prevent the illegal action by which gaming balls are illegally obtained. Moreover, a combination of the two different detection means of the first detection means and the second detection means improves accuracy in detection of the gaming ball. Thereby, it is possible to accurately detect the number of passing balls even when the gaming balls successively passes through the predetermined region of the gaming member.

Further, in the present invention, the gaming ball detection device comprises a metal plate inside the device, the metal plate being provided at a place where a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generation means flows to the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect.

According to this configuration, magnetic force generated by the magnetic field generation means is efficiently transmitted to the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect since the metal plate decreases magnetic resistance, which occurs while the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generation means flows to the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect. Therefore, the range where the magnetic force generated by the magnetic field generation means reaches the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect, is extended, which increases the degree of freedom of relative arrangement positions between the magnetic field generation means and the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect. Thereby, the degree of freedom in designing the gaming machine is improved.

Further, in the present invention, the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect is a Hall element.

According to this configuration, passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region of the gaming member generates a change in magnetic field in the static magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation means. This change in magnetic field generates a change in Hall voltage generated as the galvanomagnetic effect inside the Hall element. And a detection of the change in Hall voltage allows for a detection of passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region of the gaming member. At this time, the change in Hall voltage appears as a drift change of a carrier inside the Hall element, and is detected in extremely short period of time. It is therefore possible to detect the passage of the gaming ball at high speed and with high accuracy as compared to the case of using conventional coil sensors.

Further, in the present invention, the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect is a magnetoresistive element.

According to this configuration, passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region of the gaming member generates a change in magnetic field in the static magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation means. This change in magnetic field generates a change in magnetoresistive effect generated as the galvanomagnetic effect inside the magnetoresistive element. And a detection of the change in magnetoresistive effect allows for a detection of passage of the gaming ball through the predetermined region of the gaming member. Also at this time, the change in magnetoresistive effect appears as a drift change of a carrier inside the magnetoresistive element, and is detected in extremely short period of time. It is therefore possible, also in this case, to detect the passage of the gaming ball at high speed and with high accuracy as compared to the case of using conventional coil sensors.

As thus described, the gaming machine of the present invention can certainly prevent the illegal action of illegally obtaining the gaming ball by means of the electromagnetic wave. Further, a combination of the two different detection means of the first detection means and the second detection means improves accuracy in detection of the gaming ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of a transparent gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of the rear face of the transparent gaming board shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a structure of a winning ball collecting gutter assembly provided on the rear face of the transparent gaming board shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6(a) is a side view showing a structure of a passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6(b) is a plan view showing the structure of the passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6(c) is a perspective view showing the structure of the passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic circuit for processing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will, hereinafter, be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The pachinko gaming machine 10 comprises in the midsection of the front face thereof a transparent gaming board 12 where a pachinko game is played. A liquid crystal display device 13 c provided at the rear of the transparent gaming board 12 is seen through from the face of the transparent gaming board 12. Below the transparent gaming board 12, a tray unit 11 b including an upper tray 11 b, and a lower tray 11 b ₂ is provided. A launching handle 1 is provided to the right of the lower tray 11 b ₂.

The midsection of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a special symbol display section 12 a for visually identifying special symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 c. A passing gate, not shown in the figure, is provided on either side of the special symbol display section 12 a. Further, the lower part of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a starting winning opening 12 b. When a pachinko ball as the gaming ball launched to the board face by the operation of the launching handle 1 enters the starting winning opening 12 b, special symbols are variably displayed in the special symbol display section 12 a of the liquid crystal display device 13 c to start a special symbol game. When the special symbols displayed in the special symbol display section 12 a are aligned in a predetermined combination for a big hit, a big hit winning is generated and a big hit game is thus played. Further, on either side of the starting winning opening 12 b, a regular winning opening 12 c is provided for disbursing a predetermined number of winning balls, for example ten winning balls, upon entry of the pachinko ball thereinto. The winning balls are disbursed to the upper tray 11 b ₁ of the tray unit 11 b, but disbursed to the lower tray 11 b ₂ when the upper tray 11 b ₁ is full. Moreover, below the starting winning opening 12 b provided is a special winning opening (attacker) 12 d, in which a door is opened and closed in the big hit game which is played when the big hit winning is generated. Below the special winning opening 12 d provided is an outlet 12 e which pachinko balls having entered none of the winning openings 12 b to 12 d enter.

The big hit game starts when the special symbols are stopped and displayed in a combination for the big hit winning at the end of the special symbol game. And for example, 15 rounds of games are played at the maximum, in each of which the special winning opening 12 d is kept open until a predetermined number of the pachinko balls, for example ten pachinko balls, enter the special winning opening 12 d, or until a predetermined time, for example 30 seconds, has passed. When the pachinko ball having entered the special winning opening 12 d enters a specific region called a V-zone provided inside the special winning opening 12 d during each round, the player can continue the game to the next round. However, when the pachinko ball having entered the special winning opening 12 d does not enter the V-zone during each round, a so-called “blown-out state” occurs, and the big hit game is terminated at that round, even before completion of the 15 rounds. During the big hit game, effect is provided by means of illumination of an illumination device 11 a provided above the face of the transparent gaming board 12.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 10. In this figure, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are shown by the same symbols as in FIG. 1 to omit the descriptions of those parts.

A middle frame 13 is fixed to the front face of a rectangular wooden frame 14 to constitute the pachinko gaming machine 10. The middle frame 13 constitutes a rear mechanism board positioned at the rear of the transparent gaming board 12, along with the liquid crystal display device 13 c to be fixed to the rear face of the middle frame 13. The middle frame 13 comprises a below-described launching solenoid 13 d (see FIG. 7) for launching the pachinko ball, and others. The middle frame 13 is pivotally supported on the left side of the wooden frame 14 so as to be opened and closed on the front face of the wooden frame 14. The transparent gaming board 12 is fixed to the midsection of the front face of the middle frame 13, and a pair of speakers 13 b, 13 b, from which sound effect and the like of the game is provided, are fixed to the upper part of the middle frame 13. Further, the foregoing launching handle 1 is fixed to the right lower part of the front face of the middle frame 13. The transparent gaming board 12 and the speakers 13 b, 13 b are covered with a glass door 11, and through the transparent glass part of the glass door 11, seen is the face of the transparent gaming board 12. The upper part of the glass door 11 is provided with the foregoing illumination device 11 a. The illumination device 11 a comprises an illumination LED (Light Emitting Diode) 11 a ₂, and a lens cover 11 a ₁ for covering the illumination LED 11 a ₂, to constitute an effect device for providing effect of the pachinko game. Moreover, the foregoing tray unit 11 b is fixed to the lower part of the middle frame 13.

To a rectangular opening in the midsection of the rear face of the middle frame 13, fixed is the liquid crystal display device 13 c so as to be opposed to the transparent gaming board 12. And a ball disbursement unit 15 a and a substrate case unit 15 b are further fixed so as to cover the liquid crystal display device 13 c from the rear thereof. The left side of the ball disbursement unit 15 a and the right side of the substrate case unit 15 b are pivotally supported on the middle frame 13, and the ball disbursement unit 15 a and the substrate case unit 15 b open in the form of double doors to expose the rear face of the liquid crystal display device 13 c. The liquid crystal display device 13 c provides effect display according to the gaming state or the like, on the front face, and displays special symbols in the special symbol display section 12 a as described above. The ball disbursement unit 15 a supplies pachinko balls, the number of which depends on a winning result, to the upper tray 11 b ₁ and the lower tray 11 b ₂. The substrate case unit 15 b houses a main control substrate 30, a sub-control substrate 40, a disbursement and launching control substrate 60 (see FIG. 7) and the like, as described below, for controlling the game operation, the effect display, the ball launching and the like.

FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of a transparent gaming board 12. In this figure, the same parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown by the same symbols as in FIGS. 1 and 2 to omit the descriptions of those parts.

The transparent gaming board 12 comprises a substantially circular game region 12A, and a substantially circular arc-shaped ball launching region 12B provided along the game region 12A from the left lower part of the game region 12A toward the slightly upper side of the midsection thereof. The game region 12A is provided with the foregoing winning openings 12 b to 12 d (not shown in this figure) and the like. The ball launching region 12B is a region for inducing the pachinko ball launched by the operation of the launching handle 1 into the game region 12A. The ball launching region 12B and the game region 12A are parted from each other with a return prevention member 12 f. This return prevention member 12 f serves to prevent the pachinko ball in the game region 12A from returning to the ball launching region 12B, and is formed of a plate body having elasticity.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12. In FIG. 4, the same parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown by the same symbols as in FIGS. 1 and 2 to omit the descriptions of those parts.

The midsection of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a warp channel 12 i. A warp inlet, not shown in the figure, for inducing the pachinko ball to the warp channel 12 i is open to the front face of the transparent gaming board 12. The pachinko ball having entered the warp inlet disappears from the face of the transparent gaming board 12 and passes through the warp channel 12 i. Then, the pachinko ball exits from a warp outlet, not shown in the figure, to appear on the face of the transparent gaming board 12. The warp outlet is provided above the starting winning opening 12 b, and therefore the pachinko ball, which enters the warp inlet and exits from the warp outlet to the front face of the transparent gaming board 12 to flow down, easily enters the starting winning opening 12 b.

The lower part of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70 for collecting the pachinko balls having entered each of the foregoing winning openings 12 b to 12 d through each of the ball channels 70 a to 70 e. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70 shown in FIG. 4. Slots 71 to 74 shown in FIG. 5 and formed respectively in the ball channels 70 a to 70 e of the winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70, are each provided with a below-described passing ball sensor 100 (see FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c)) for detecting passage of the pachinko ball. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, hollow parts 75, 76 shown in FIG. 5 are provided with a starting winning opening solenoid 24 and a special winning opening solenoid 25 (see FIG. 7) respectively, as described below.

The right lower part of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a main relay substrate 80 and a sub-relay substrate 90. The main relay substrate 80 relays each electric connection of the main control substrate 30 housed in the substrate case unit 15 b with each of the passing ball sensors 100 provided in the winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70, and the like. The sub-relay substrate 90 relays each electric connection of the sub-control substrate 40 housed in the substrate case unit 15 b with the illumination LED 11 a ₂, and the like.

The sub-relay substrate 90 is provided with a connector 91, to which the illumination LED 11 a ₂ controlled by a sub-control circuit configured on the sub-control substrate 40, is connected. The sub-relay substrate 90 is also provided with a connector 92 to which the sub-control substrate 40 is connected. The connector 91 and the illumination LED 11 a ₂ which is fixed to the upper edge of the transparent gaming board 12 are electrically connected to each other with a harness, not shown in the figure. Further, the sub-control substrate 40 and the connector 92 are also connected electrically to each other with a harness not shown in the figure. The sub-relay substrate 90 is provided with a connector group besides the connectors 91, 92. To the connector group, connected are a variety of actuators and the like, the actuators being fixed to the transparent gaming board 12 controlled by the sub-control circuit.

The main relay substrate 80 is held on the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 by a substrate holder 81. The main relay substrate 80 is provided with: below-described actuators such as a starting winning opening solenoid 24, a special winning opening solenoid 25, a V-zone induction device 34 (see FIG. 7), which are controlled by a main control circuit configured on the main control substrate 30; a connector to which a plurality of the passing ball sensors 100 provided on the foregoing ball channels 70 a to 70 e, and the like, are connected; and a connector 88 connected to the main control substrate 30. The main control substrate 30 and the connector 88 are also connected electrically to each other with a harness, not shown in the figure, as in the sub-control substrate 40 and the connector 92 described above.

FIG. 6(a) is a side view showing the structure of the foregoing passing ball sensor 100 as a complex sensor comprising a photo sensor 101 and a magnetic sensor 102. FIG. 6(b) is a plan view thereof. FIG. 6(c) is a perspective view thereof.

In a housing case having a passing hole 101 a formed therein, the photo sensor 101 is configured by comprising: an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 103 as a light emitting element; a PD (Photo-receiving Diode) 104 as a light receiving element; a reflection plate 105 for reflecting light emitted from the LED 103 toward the PD 104; and a circuit substrate, not shown in the figure, configured with a circuit for drive-controlling the LED 103 and the PD 104. The LED 103, the PD 104 and the reflection plate 105 are provided such that the LED 103 and the PD 104 are opposed to the reflection plate 105 along the inner wall face of the passing hole 101 a as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 6(b). Moreover, the circuit substrate is provided with an input and output terminal, and through this input and output terminal, the circuit substrate and the main control substrate 30 (see FIG. 7) are electrically connected to each other through a connector provided on the main relay substrate 80.

When the pachinko ball P is not passing through the passing hole 101 a, the PD 104 receives light emitted from the LED 103 through the reflection plate 105. At this time, a high-level detection signal is outputted from the photo sensor 101. On the other hand, when the pachinko ball P passes through the passing hole 101 a as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6(a), the light emitted from the LED 103 is cut off by the pachinko ball P upon passage of the pachinko ball P through the passing hole 101 a, and during the passage, the light is not received in the PD 104. At this time, a low-level detection signal (ON signal) is outputted from the photo sensor 101. The photo sensor 101 constitutes the first detection means for detecting the passage of the pachinko ball P through the passing hole 101 a by detecting a change in amount of light emitted from the LED 103 and received in the PD 104.

The magnetic sensor 102 is provided on the upper surface of the photo sensor 101. The magnetic sensor 102 is configured by comprising, in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing case,: a Hall element 106 for causing a Hall effect as one of galvanomagnetic effects; a permanent magnet 107 as magnetic field generation means for generating a static magnetic field; and a circuit substrate, not shown in the figure, on which a circuit for calculating a Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 106 is configured. The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided side-by-side along the side face of the housing case of the magnetic sensor 102 facing the passing hole 101 a of the photo sensor 101, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 6(b). Further, as in the photo sensor 101, the circuit substrate is provided with an input and output terminal, and through this input and output terminal, the circuit substrate and the main control substrate 30 (see FIG. 7) are electrically connected to each other with the connector provided on the main relay substrate 80. Moreover, a static magnetic field is generated by the permanent magnet 107 between the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107. And, as indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), a metal plate 108 is provided at a place inside the housing case of the magnetic sensor 102, where a magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows to the Hall element 106. This metal plate 108 is made of metal such as iron having a large magnetic susceptibility.

When the pachinko ball P is not passing through the passing hole 101 a, the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107 does not change, and the Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 106 also remains constant and does not change. At this time, a high-level detection signal is outputted from the magnetic sensor 102. On the other hand, when the pachinko ball P passes through the passing hole 101 a as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6(a), the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107 changes according to the passage of the pachinko ball P. At this time, a low-level detection signal (ON signal) is outputted from the magnetic sensor 102. The magnetic sensor 102 constitutes the second detection means for detecting the passage of the pachinko ball P through the passing hole 101 a by detecting a change in Hall effect, as a change in Hall voltage, the change in Hall effect caused by the Hall element 106 placed in the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107.

Each output of the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 is provided to a main CPU 31 (see FIG. 7) of the main control circuit. There is a period of time where detection of the pachinko ball P by the photo sensor 101 and detection of the pachinko ball P by the magnetic sensor 102 overlap. When the two sensors are concurrently detecting the pachinko ball P, a detection signal is concurrently outputted from each of the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 to the main CPU 31 (see FIG. 7). The winning openings 12 b to 12 d and the passing gate constitute a gaming member provided on the transparent gaming board 12. The winning openings 12 b to 12 d and the opening region of the passing gate constitute a predetermined region of the gaming member. Passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member is recognized by the main CPU 31 as thus described. The photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 constitute the gaming ball detection device for detecting the pachinko ball P having passed through the predetermined region of the gaming member provided on the transparent gaming board 12.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic circuit for processing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment. This electronic circuit includes a main control circuit provided on the main control substrate 30, a sub-control circuit provided on the sub-control substrate 40, and a disbursement and launching control circuit provided on a disbursement and launching control substrate 60, and the like. The main control circuit performs an electric control with regard to progress in pachinko game on the transparent gaming board 12, and a below-described electric control of the gaming machine on the transparent gaming board 12. The sub-control circuit performs an electric control of the effect device such as the illumination LED 11 a ₂, according to a command from the main control circuit. Further, the disbursement and launching control circuit controls disbursement of winning balls or the like and launching of the pachinko ball.

On the main control substrate 30, mounted are electronic components such as the main CPU 31, an initial reset circuit 32 and a serial communication IC 33. On the main control substrate 30, also mounted are a main ROM (Read Only Memory), not shown in the figure, where a program is stored for use by the main CPU 31 in processing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a main RAM (Random Access Memory), not shown in the figure, where data is temporarily stored while the game operation is processed and controlled. The initial reset circuit 32 generates a reset signal for deleting contents of a gaming state stored in the main RAM at the time of activating the main control circuit, and for initiating a game process according to the program stored in the main ROM. Moreover, the serial communication IC 33 serially transmits a control signal received from the main CPU 31 to the control substrates 40 and 60.

To the main control substrate 30, connected are: a gate switch 20 s, provided on the inner side of the foregoing passing gate, for detecting passage of the pachinko ball P through the passing gate; and a starting winning ball sensor 21 s for detecting the pachinko ball P having entered the starting winning opening 12 b. To the main control substrate 30, also connected are: a count switch 22 s for detecting the pachinko ball P having entered the special winning opening 12 d; a V-count switch 22 v for detecting the pachinko ball P having passed through the V-zone inside the special winning opening 12 d; and a regular winning ball sensor 23 s for detecting the pachinko ball P having entered the regular winning opening 12 c. Each of these switches 20 s, 22 s and 22 v and each of the sensors 21 s and 23 s are comprised of the foregoing passing ball sensor 100. To the main control substrate 30, connected are, as actuators: a starting winning opening solenoid 24 for extending a ball receiving slot of the starting winning opening 12 b; a special winning opening solenoid 25 for opening and closing the door of the special winning opening 12 d; a V-zone induction device 34 for inducing the pachinko ball P out of the V-zone after the pachinko ball P has entered the V-zone inside the special winning opening 12 d; and the like.

Each of the switches 20 s, 22 s and 22 v, each of the sensors 21 s and 23 s, and each of the actuators 24, 25 and 34 constitute a gaming device for carrying out a pachinko game, and are connected to the main control substrate 30 through the main relay substrate 80. When the passing ball sensor 100, which constitutes each of the switches 20 s, 22 s and 22 v and each of the sensors 21 s and 23 s, detects the pachinko ball P, the detection signal is inputted into the main CPU 31 of the main control substrate 30 through the main relay substrate 80. The main CPU 31 controls driving of each of the actuators 24, 25 and 34 according to the inputted detection signal.

The sub-control substrate 40 is connected to the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 13 c, the speakers 13 b, 13 b, and the illumination LED 11 a ₂ through the sub-relay substrate 90. The sub-control substrate 40 performs: an image display control of displaying an image on the liquid crystal display device 13 c; a sound control of providing sound effect from the speakers 13 b, 13 b; and an illumination control for controlling light emission of the illumination LED 11 a ₂ according to a gaming state. On this sub-control substrate 40, mounted are a sub-CPU 41, a program ROM 42 and a work RAM 43. The sub-CPU 41 translates a control command received from the main control substrate 30 and sets a parameter of a VDP (Video Display Processor) 44. In the program ROM 42, a control program is stored for use by the sub-CPU 41 in processing and controlling each operation of the liquid crystal display device 13 c, the speakers 13 b, 13 b and the illumination LED 11 a ₂. The work RAM 43 serves as a temporary storage means at the time when the sub-CPU 41 processes and controls the operations according to the above-mentioned control program.

Further, on the sub-control substrate 40, mounted are an image data ROM 45, a VDP 44 and an initial reset circuit 46. The image data ROM 45 stores dot data for forming an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 c. The VDP 44 reads the dot data in the image data ROM 45 according to the parameter set in the sub-CPU 41, to generate image data to be displayed on an image on the liquid crystal display device 13 c. The initial reset circuit 46 generates a reset signal for resetting the sub-control circuit on the sub-control substrate 40.

When the pachinko ball P enters the starting winning opening 12 b to generate starting winning, the main CPU 31 carries out a big hit determination process. The sub-control circuit gets special symbols to be sequentially stopped and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 c in a mode corresponding to the result of the big hit determination process. When the game gets into a reach state where the right and left symbols are the same at the time of stoppage and display, a reach effect is provided by means of the special symbol and the image effect on the liquid crystal display device 13 c.

The speaker driving circuit comprises: a sound source IC 48 for generating an original signal of sound effect; a sound source data ROM 49 which is connected to the sound source IC 48 and stores the sound effect therein; an amplifier 50 for amplifying the original signal outputted from the sound source IC 48; and a volume change-over switch 51 for designating a volume output level of one volume level out of three volume levels. The speaker driving circuit controls the speakers 13 b, 13 b by means of a drive signal from the sub-CPU 41. A drive circuit 52 controls emission of the illumination LED 11 a ₂ according to the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 10 by means of a drive signal from the sub-CPU 41.

To the disbursement and launching control substrate 60, connected are: a disbursement device 61 for disbursing winning balls or the like and the launching solenoid 13 d driven according to the operation of the launching handle 1. The disbursement and launching control circuit configured on the disbursement and launching control substrate 60 controls driving of the disbursement device 61 according to a disbursement command signal outputted from the main control substrate 30 depending on entry of the pachinko ball P into each kind of the winning openings to disburse winning balls, while drive-controlling the launching solenoid 13 d according to the player's operation of the launching handle 1 to launch the pachinko ball P to the game region 12A.

In the above configuration, when the pachinko balls P having been launched to the game region 12A by the operation of the launching handle 1 enters the opening region of each of the winning openings 12 b to 12 d, the pachinko balls P passes through the passing hole 101 a of the passing ball sensor 100 provided in each of the slots 71 to 74 while being collected during the passage through the ball channels 70 a to 70 e. Further, upon passage of the pachinko ball P having been launched to the game region 12A through the passing gate, the pachinko ball P passes through the passing hole 101 a of the passing ball sensor 100 provided in the opening region of the passing gate. At this time, the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 output a low-level detection signal. When receiving the low-level detection signal, the main CPU 31 determines that the pachinko ball P has passed through the passing hole 101 a, to perform the process for disbursing the pachinko ball P according to the winning opening that the pachinko ball P entered or the passing gate through which the pachinko ball P passed.

According to the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, as thus described, when the pachinko ball P passes through the predetermined region of the gaming member, such as the wining openings 12 b to 12 d or the passing gate provided in the transparent gaming board 12, the photo sensor 101 detects passage of the pachinko ball P by a change in amount of light received in the PD 104, and the magnetic sensor 102 detects passage of the pachinko ball P by a change in Hall voltage caused by the Hall element 106 placed in the static magnetic field. Therefore, the photo sensor 101 is not affected by the illegal action of transmitting an electromagnetic wave to the predetermined region of the gaming member with a radiowave transmitter or the like, since the photo sensor 101 detects the passage of the pachinko ball P by the change in amount of light received. Further, the magnetic sensor 102 is not affected either by the electromagnetic wave in contrast to conventional detection devices such as a coil sensor for detecting a change in magnetic field itself by electromagnetic induction. This is because the change in Hall voltage caused by the Hall element 106 is hardly influenced even when, in the static magnetic field around the Hall element 106, the electromagnetic wave generates a slight change in magnetic field. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the false detection performed due to the electromagnetic wave generated in the radiowave goto, thereby enabling certain prevention of the illegal action by which pachinko balls P are illegally obtained. Moreover, a combination of the two different detection means of the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 improves the detection accuracy of the pachinko ball P. Thereby, even when the pachinko balls P successively pass through the predetermined region of the gaming member, it is possible to accurately detect the number of passing balls.

Further, in the present embodiment, magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet 107 is efficiently conducted to the Hall element 106 since the metal plate 108 decreases magnetic resistance, which occurs while the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows to the Hall element 106. And such an effective conduction of the magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet 107 allows for extension of the range where the magnetic force reaches to the Hall element 106. Therefore, the degree of freedom of relative arrangement positions between the permanent magnet 107 and the Hall element 106 increases, thereby to improve the degree of freedom in designing the pachinko gaming machine 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect is the Hall element 106. Therefore, passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member generates a change in magnetic field in the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107. This change in magnetic field generates a change in Hall voltage generated inside the Hall element 106. And the main CPU 31 detects the change in Hall voltage, which leads to detection of passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member. At this time, the change in Hall voltage appears as a drift change of a carrier inside the Hall element 106, and is detected in extremely short period of time. It is therefore possible to detect the passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region at high speed and with high accuracy as compared to the case of using conventional coil sensors.

The above embodiment describes the case where the Hall element is used as the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect, but the magnetoresistive element also may be used in place of the Hall element.

According to this configuration, passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member generates a change in magnetic field, in the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107. This change in magnetic field generates a change in magnetoresistive effect generated as the galvanomagnetic effect inside the magnetoresistive element. And the main CPU 31 detects the change in magnetoresistive effect to recognize the passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member. Also at this time, the change in magnetoresistive effect appears as a drift change of a carrier inside the magnetoresistive element, and is detected in extremely short period of time. It is therefore possible, also in this case, to detect the passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region at high speed and with high accuracy as compared to the case of using conventional coil sensors.

Further, the above embodiment describes the case where the permanent magnet 107 is used as the magnetic field generation means, but the magnetic field generation means is appropriately changeable so long as the means generates the static magnetic field.

Further, the above embodiment describes the case where the magnetic sensor 102 is provided on the upper surface of the photo sensor 101, but the arrangements of the photo sensor 101 and the magnetic sensor 102 are appropriately changeable so long as those sensors are configured so as to concurrently detect the pachinko ball.

Further, the above embodiment describes the case where the metal plate 108 was provided at a place where the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows to the Hall element 106, but a configuration without the metal plate 108 may be also adopted. Further, the above embodiment describes the case where the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided on the same plain surface along the side face of the housing case of the magnetic sensor 102 facing the passing hole 101 a. However, the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 may be arranged at a position inside the Hall element 106 where the Hall effect is caused by the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107, and therefore the arrangement positions thereof are appropriately changeable.

Further, the above embodiment describes the case where a reflection-type photo sensor, in which the reflection plate 105 is arranged at a place opposed to the LED 103 and the PD 104, is used as the photo sensor 101. However, it is also possible to use a photo sensor without the reflection plate 105 where the LED 103 and the PD 104 are arranged so as to face each other.

The above embodiment describes the case where the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine, but it is also possible to apply the present invention to another gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member. Also in the case of applying the present invention to such a gaming machine, a similar functional effect to that of the above embodiment is exerted. 

1. A gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member provided on a gaming board, wherein said gaming ball detection device comprises: first detection means for detecting a change in amount of light emitted from a light emitting element and received by a light receiving element to thereby detect passage of the gaming ball through said predetermined region; and second detection means for detecting a change in galvanomagnetic effect caused by an element placed in a static magnetic field generated by magnetic field generation means to thereby detect passage of the gaming ball through said predetermined region.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said gaming ball detection device comprises a metal plate inside the device, said metal plate being provided at a place where a magnetic flux generated by said magnetic field generation means flows to said element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect is a Hall element.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect is a magnetoresistive element. 